Tennis Legend Venus Williams Under Fire for Continuing Career at 45

A few days back, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams received a singles wildcard for the US Open. At the age of 45, Williams is the oldest singles entrant at Flushing Meadows in 44 years. The last person older than her to compete in singles at the tournament was Renee Richards, who was 47 in 1981.

While many are excited to see the tennis icon return to this tournament as it evokes a sense of nostalgia, some have criticized the wildcard decision. French journalist Benoit Maylin expressed his disappointment with the decision, urging Williams to retire. He took to X with his stance:

And who’s been invited for both the mixed doubles and singles at the US Open?! Venuuuus Williams. 45 years old. 577th. 2 matches in 2025. 2 in 2024. 0 wins in New York since 2019…I know, she’s a legend, but you have to know when to stop. It’s getting ridiculous.

Williams also played the WTA 500 event in Washington D.C. and the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati where she received wildcards. She had a stunning comeback win in D.C. defeating compatriot Peyton Stearns in straight sets in the opening round.

With this win, Williams became the oldest player to claim a tour-level singles match win since Martina Navratilova, who won her first round match at Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 47. This tournament also marked Williams’ return to tour after a 16-month hiatus.

Williams, however, has not won a match since then, losing in straight sets to Magdalena Frech in her next round in D.C. and losing again in straight sets to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her opening round in Cincinnati. Several other players, such as Andy Roddick have defended the wildcard decision emphasizing her status as a tennis legend making her worthy of receiving a wildcard.

Venus Williams’ history at the US Open

Venus Williams is a two-time singles champion at the US Open. She clinched her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2000, defeating Lindsay Davenport in the final. She defended her title the next year, defeating her younger sister Serena Williams in the final.

This championship match was the first of the nine Grand Slam finals contested by the Williams sisters. Venus reached the finals of the US Open one more time in her career in 2002, where she was defeated by her sister.

Venus last played a singles match at the US Open in 2023 and has not won a singles match there since 2019. Venus had also earlier been granted a wildcard for next week’s revamped mixed doubles event alongside compatriot Reilly Opelka.

Barbie releases new doll in honor of Venus Williams

Venus Williams has a new Barbie doll based on her, this one is part of Mattel’s Inspiring Women collection. Releasing on Friday, 15th August, this doll celebrates the tennis great and pay equity champion, featuring the dress she wore while clinching the Wimbledon title in 2007.

Williams’ win at this tournament marked the first time a woman received equal prize money as her male counterparts in a Grand Slam. She also had a Barbie doll released last year that honored nine trailblazing female athletes as part of the 65th anniversary of Barbie. Several other tennis players have previously had a Barbie doll released in honor of them, including Billie Jean King, Ashleigh Barty and Evonne Goolagong.